Blood Pressure

Definition

Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. It's one of the principal vital signs that health professionals measure to assess a person's physical health.

Related terms

Hypertension: This is when blood pressure remains consistently high over time. It's like if a city’s water pump was always running at full blast, putting too much strain on the pipes.

Hypotension: This refers to abnormally low blood pressure. It's akin to a weakly functioning pump that can't push enough water through a city’s pipe system.

Cardiovascular System: This is your body’s “transportation network,” including your heart and all your blood vessels. It's like an entire city’s infrastructure for delivering essential resources.